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R2 

Copy 1 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

UNITED STATES. OF AMERICA. 



A SYSTEM 



OF 



SIMPLIFIED SHORTHAND 



BY 



JOHN R. RANKIN 



INDIANAPOLIS. 



Jill 



b 






^ 



•V 



INTRODUCTION. 



The author is saved much of the trouble of writing an introduc- 
tion by reproducing the following extract from an article on short- 
hand published some years ago in the New York Sun : 

" From all parts of the country, and almost every day, letters are 
received by the Sun inquiring which is the best system of stenog- 
raphy. The question is difficult to answer. There is a great deal 
of printed humbug about shorthand. Up to the present time there 
has never been anything like a perfect system published. It is really 
a very imperfect art. Many of the books and pamphlets on the 
subject are mere catchpennies, calculated to deceive the public by 
creating the impression that anybody can learn in a few months to 
report a sermon, a lecture or a case in court. A considerable num- 
ber of young lawyers and medical students have lost much valuable 
time fooling with phonography under this delusion. After a great 
deal of trouble almost every one of these young gentlemen has been 
disappointed by discovering that in this matter a little learning is a 
dangerous thing, and that the ordinary long hand is far better for 
his purpose, because he can at least read his notes. Stenography, 
when only partially mastered, is utterly worthlees. As one of its 
most celebrated students has said, i There are two great difficulties 
in the thing — one is to write it, and the other is to read it after it is 
written.' It takes at least two years of hard work for anybody of 
ordinary ability to learn a good system. Naturally, then, for those 
who do not intend to make a business of it the question arises, is 
the game worth the candle? It has often been predicted by phono- 
graphic fools that in this age of progress, steam and electric tele- 
graph, the present style of writing will soon be abandoned, and 
shorthand universally adopted — an idea that nobody but a lunatic 
would entertain for a moment. It is an amusing fact that the very 
systems which are claimed to be the very perfection of writing, so 
far from being fitted for general use, are extremely poor material for 
ordinary note-taking. Singularly enough, the greatest enthusiasts 
in phonography are, generally speaking, the most incompetent wri- 



[2] 

ters. Some of their exploits are on record among reporters. Several 
years ago an eminent lawyer hired one of these professors to take 
testimony in an important case. The transcribed minutes astonished 
him. A 'patent' was converted into a 'potentate;' a 'solid frame' 
was turned into an 'isolated farm ;' the 'finances of this country' 
were set down as the 'Fenians in this country;' 'clerks and bartend- 
ers' were made into 'clocks and barometers,' and the question, 
'Were you in the habit of visiting the house?' was written, 'Were 
you in the habit of fastening the hose?' Columns of such exam- 
ples might be given, all going to show that when we abandon the 
present style of writing and take to phonography we shall at least 
have fun. Ridiculous blunders are sometimes made even by smart 
stenographers when they attempt to report mechanically and allow 
their minds to wander a moment from the context. Stenography 
can never be generally used for the simple reason that as to words it 
is a mere skeleton map, and requires too much precision in the forma- 
tion of characters. Thus far all efforts to make it as legible as ordi- 
nary writing have failed. With this view some bad systems have 
been improved and some good ones spoiled by tinkering. Expert 
shorthand writing, however, depends more upon the method of wri- 
ting it, and the attention and judgment of the writer, than upon 
the system. In other words, a good reporter would work about as 
well with one system as with another, and very rapid phonogra- 
phers sometimes use very clumsy systems." 

The foregoing is but a fair statement of the defects of the present 
system of shorthand, and that it will never be generally adopted is 
conclusively proved by its limited use at the present time. But im- 
perfect as it is, the professional shorthand reporters have so thor- 
oughly mastered it, and so disciplined their memories, that by 
making it their life-work, they have made it answer for verbatim 
reporting. But this proficiency has been acquired in almost every 
case at the expense of every other pursuit. It is plain, therefore, 
that the system can never be universalized. The idea of making 
it universal is no more possible than making the professions of law 
and medicine universal. One profession thoroughly mastereed is 
enough for one person, and when every one becomes his own doctor, 
lawyer, etc., then it may be expected that every one will be his own 
phonographer — that is, under the present system. 

The shortcomings of phonography have been well considered and, 
the author believes, rectified. The judgment of the public will test 
the validity of this belief. The advantages claimed for the system 
hereby introduced are — 



[3] 

1. It is from one-fourth to one-third shorter than the ordinary- 
phonography. 

2. Its legibility is so perfect (the component parts of the words 
Toeing given so fully) that no difficulty will ever be experienced in 
reading it when it is written with ordinary care. 

3. It is so easily comprehended" that the pupil's mind will be 
but slightly diverted from any other study. 

This system has not been invented long enough to get an accur- 
ate estimate of its possibilities ; but anyone raising this question is 
recommended to apply the following test : After it is understood let 
the student write a particular piece of language until he can make 
the marks without mental effort, or, in other words, without hesita- 
tion. It will then be seen that wonderful speed can be attained 
when it can be written with as little thought or hesitation as is used 
in writing the long hand, or in writing shorthand by the professional 
phonographer. Then, again, its simplicity and legibility will render 
it practicable for general purposes. 

In submitting this system of shorthand to the public the author 
trusts that he has supplied a long-felt want. 



CHAPTER I. 

FIRST PRINCIPLES. 

There is required for this system prepared paper. This is paper 
with the twenty-four consonants printed in sets, in lines, across the 
paper.] Thus: 

ThPV TliPV ThPV ThPT TiPV ThPVThPT 
EDBF HDBF EDEP EDBP HBDF HDBP HDB* 
KSTL KSTL KSTL KSTL KSTL KSTL KSTL 
■WNGR WNGR WNGR "WNGR WNGS WNGB WNGR 
MShCh MShCh M^hCh MShCh MShCh MShCh MShCh 
T J Ng Y J Ng Y J Ng Y J Ng Y J Ng T J Ng T J Ng 
ZHbZh ZllbZh ZMbZh ZMbZh ZilbZh ZMbZh ZMbZfi 

These consonants are printed in orange, yellow, or some color dif- 
ferent from the color of the ink used in writing. The outlines of words 
are indicated by marks on these consonants.^ When a mark begins 
on one consonant and ends on another there is included in the word 
only the consonants on which it begins and ends — not the conson- 
ants which it goes over. Thus, if the outline of the word " were " is 
to be given, a mark is made beginning on W and ending on E, and 



[4] 

although the mark goes over K and G, these two consonants have 
nothing to do with the word. If the outline of " which" is desired, 
the mark commences on "W and ends on Ch. It will be perceived 
that "wen," is also the outline of the words "watch" and " witch," 
and without the vowels (the use of which will be explained 
hereafter) these words are distinguished by the sense, or the 
relation which they bear to the language in connection with which 
they are used. This manner of distinguishing words will be found 
sufficient for all the common one-syllable words of the language. 
A line from H to D indicates "had," "head," "ahead" or "heed;" 
from Th to T, " that " or " thought," and so on. If three conson- 
ants in line with each other are to be used in one word, it will not 
answer to make a straight mark from the first to the last ; curved 
marks must be used. If the outline of the word "winner" 
(WNK) is desired, a curved mark from "W to N is made and, then 
another curve to R, giving a mark like this, *v*^. The point where 
the two curves meet shows that the eonsonant on which this point 
rests is included in the word. In the word "manner" the outline 
is MNR, and should be indicated by a mark like this, y^, the 
point resting on N. In the word " manly " a mark like this, -J 

It may be convenient sometimes to make a mark to the left. 
If the outline of the words "fit," "fought" or "fight" (FT) is 
needed, instead of making a mark from the F in one set to the T in 
another set, a mark from F to T in the same set, downward to the 
left can be made. Marks of this kind should be heavy, to show 
that they begin at the top. Otherwise, there might be confusion by 
reading from the bottom. 

It is very frequently necessary in spelling a word to draw a line 
from a consonant in one set to a consonant in another. Thus, in the 
word "deed" (DD) a mark may be drawn from the D in one set to 
the D in another. The same process can be used in " none " or 
"known" (NN.) But a consonant maybe doubled by making a 
parallel tick alongside the mark on the consonant which is repeated. 
Thus, in spelling the outline of " people" (PPL), instead of draw- 
ing a line from the P in one set to the P in another, the outline is 
made in this manner, A. ; or, in giving the outline of the word 

"unknown" (NNN), a line is drawn from the N in one set to the 
N in another, with the parallel tick on the first N, thus, — — - . Any 



[5] 

consonant may be doubled in a like manner. Two parallel horizon- 
tal dashes on a consonant also indicate doubling. Such words 
as ' ' deed " (E>D) or " none " (NN) may be expressed by similar 
marks made on D or N; thus, - . 

When con, com or cog are used after the first syllable in a word, 
they are expressed by a small curve on the consonant that com- 
mences the word. Thus, in the word "reconcile," instead of mark- 
ing the consonants RKNSL, a mark beginning w T ith a little curve 
is made from R to S and then to L, like this, /~, When that 

curve begins a mark it indicates that con, com or cog follows the 
consonant on which it is written. This mark is used in such words 
as "uncongenial/' "incompatibility," "incompetent," "unconstitu- 
tional/' "recognize," etc. 



CHAPTER I. 



MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTIONS. 

"When a mark ends w T ith a cross tick or dash, it indicates that t ? 
et, d or ed is added (t or et when the tick is light, and d or ed when 
heavy.) A mark thus, beginning on H and ending on L, with 
the cross-tick as described, \ (HLT), indicates the word "halt." 

When the cross-tick is heavy,, the outline of "hold" or "held" is given* 
When a mark ends with two cross-ticks they express, when light, tet or 
tate; a light and a heavy cross-tick indicate ted, ated or eted ; when 
both cross-ticks are heavy, ded, eded or aded. A mark from S to 
L, and then to V, ending with two cross-ticks, one light and the 
other heavy would express SLV-ated (salivated.) The mark would 
be like this, i . 

Ng has also the sound of Nk, and Mb that of Mp. 

A small circle at the beginning or end of a mark indicates the 

addition of s, c , : D . When this circle at the commencement 

of a word is above the (horizontal or sloping) mark the S comes 
before the consonant on which it is made. Thus, in the word 
"snare" (SNR), the mark commencing on N and ending onR, 
would be like this, a But if the S-circle is below or under the 



[6] 

mark fc ""■-), beginning on N and ending on R, it signifies that N 
comes before the S, and the outline of "ensnare," "no, sir" or "an- 
swer" (NSR) is given. 

When marks are as follows the S comes before the consonant on 
which the circle is made : Going downward, V P ; upward, \ A s . 

When made as follows, S comes after the consonant on which the 
circle is written : Downward, °v <j ; upward, y^\* 

An S-circle at the end of horizontal marks comes before the con^ 
sonant on which the S-cirele is made when the circle is above the 
the consonant-mark. Thus, if a horizontal mark is from R to N f 

with the circle at the end above the mark ( d), we have RSN 

(reason) ; but if the mark is drawn from R to N with the S-circle at 
the end below the mark ( o), we have HNS (rains). If the mark is 
upward from Ch to L, with the S-circle on the right ( p), CHLS 

(chills) is expressed; but when the S-circle is on the left ( «j), 

ChSL (the outline of "chisel") is given. Therefore, when vertical 
upward marks end with the S-circle on the right the S comes after 
the consonant on which it is written, and when the S-circle is on the 
left it comes before the consonant on which it is written. In sloping 
marks with S-circles at the end, the S comes after the consonant 
when written below the mark ( ^o),and before the consonant when 
written above the mark ( ^ p ). 

The S-circle is also frequently written in the center of a conson- 
ant mark, as in LKsNG-ton (Lexington.) 

A large circle at the beginning or end of a mark ( rx_ . ^) 

indicates SS, and is used in words beginning or ending with such 
syllables as sus, ses, zes, etc. 

Where a hook commences a mark L or R is thereby expressed. 
Thus, if a mark is made from B to K like this, ^ , it is the out- 
line of "black" or "block" (BLK), when the hook is above or on 
the right of the mark. With the hook under, or on the left — thus, <V 

— running from B to K, the outline of "brick" or "break" (BRK) 
is given. When the mark is upward, either vertical or sloping to 
the right, the the L hook is on the left — thus, y ] — and the R 



hook on the right — thus, / 1 • L and R in these hooks are always 

sounded after the consonant on which the hook is written; thus — 
Tr, Dr, Br, Tl, Dl, Bl, etc. 

In horizontal marks L is expressed when the hook is up ^ g — ) , 
and R when the hook is down ( c==H "'j. 

Consonant-marks are made horizontal, vertical or sloping to the 
right, upward or downward, but in exceptional cases a stroke to the 
left is allowable. Vertical marks when heavy are read from the 
top, and when light are read from the bottom. Thus, a heavy mark 
from K to M expresses the out line of "come" or "came" (KM), 
and when the stroke is light M comes before K, and the out line 
of "make" or "meek" (MK) is given. 

[Note. — The word "mark" signifies the mark used to express 
consonants as distinct from the vowel, prefix and affix marks.] 



CHAPTER III. 



PKEFIXES AND AFFIXES. 

Prefixes and affixes are used with the marks in order to secure 

greater brevity. They express the most common syllables of the 

language and are arbitrary. 

Prefixes. 
A dot at the beginning of a mark indicates con, com or cog ; 

thus, . 

AVhen con, com or cog follow the first consonant of a word they 

are indicated by a curved mark at the beginning; thus, \. 

Miscon, ^ . Unrecon, unrecom, unrecog, 

Sol, sel, sal, a -'* — . unre, x . 

Ex, ax, cus, cas, etc., ° . Tes, *"— ; des, dis, etc., if heavy. 

In, en, un, an, on, c Pre, per, por, pri, pru, n 

Sin, sun, son, ceu, sen, san.* ^ Sis, sys, sas, sus, etc.,Q . 

Inter, intro, enter, , . T, te, tu, etc., < ; de, di, * 

Tut, tat, tit, etc., + 1 . (When these prefixes come be- 

Noncon, noncom, * fore the L or R hook they are 

Re, ri, ro, ra, ru, * . written before the mark; other- 
Can, coun, ken, kin, e wise they are written on the 

Counter, contra, contro, S . mark, as above.) 



Ble, bly, able, ^. 

Bleness, wardness, ness, nace, 

etc., — o. 
Ology, mark to J. 

Ship, ish, tious (shus), a. 

Ter, der, ^. 

Lty, ility, ality, *. 

Sed. zed, ized, essed, etc., *• 
Ed, ain, on, ion, etc., , ,..-». 

Ent, ant, ened, and, etc., ^ 

Ful, fully, fil, . 

Fy, vy, ive, — j., 
Yer, vers, verse, 3 . 
Ds, des, dies, etc., — — k. 
Ts, tes, ties, etc., - — ~. 



[8] 
Affixes. 

Pie, ply, pal, — v . 

Lessness, someness, q. 

Ses, zes, cess, esses, sizes, , 

Self, selves, c . 
Ever, soever, _ — >. 
Tered-, dered, __^. 

Tle,tly, ." 

Er, or, ure, ry, ary, ury, etc. 
Ing, ; ings,- . 



Ives, vies, flee, etc.,, ^. 

Ber, / ; bered, . ^ . 

Ic (i.ck), oc (ock), - — ?. 

Ment, £ ; mend, mond, etc., Mental, mentality, 



Ety, arity, erity, v . 

Cus, cas, cks (ex), — ^. 

Est, ist, set, st, etc., ^. 

Ending, anding, unding, with- 
standing, o. 

Yel, val, ville, etc. , q. 

Ls, less, lies, els, als, etc., , „_ . 

Al, el, ly, ally, ^; elled, It, Id, 

etc., . 



if heavy. 
Tion, sion, — q. 
Ens, ance, ence, ants, ents, 

£,; heavy, ends, ands. 

Cle, cal, kle, gal, g_; cally, 

gaily, etc., o-. 

S, es, os, us, ious, ordinary 

S-circle attached to mark. 



Kt, rd, eret, ered, r . 

T, et, ty, ate, ite, h ; d, ed, dy, 

ade, ide, •"; ted, ated, eted, 

ited, , w ; tute, tate, etc., «j 

ded, eded, aded, ided, oded, ^ . 

Ism, asm, v . 

Ten, ton, town, etc., : . 

Sel, sal, etc., z . 



The prefixes and affixes alicays occupy relatively the same position to 
the consouant-marJcs, whatever direction the marks may have, that they 
do in the illustrations. 

When the prefixes and affixes are separate from the consonant- 
marks they have nothing to do with the consonants on which they 
(the prefixes and affixes) are written. 

It is sometimes necessary to added an affix to an affix. This is 
done by writing the second affix immediately after and veryclo.se to 
the first. The ly sign is probably most frequently used in this way. 
Ed is also added by writing a short dash (heavier than the ly dash — 
thus, l) after an affix, transversely with the consonant-mark. 



[9] 

"When it is necessary to add an s to pluralize an affix, it is 
done by writing a circle ( o ) after and very near the affix ; but 
this is done only when the plural cannot be expressed otherwise. 

Some of the affixes written on the consonant-marks will, in some 
cases, have to be separated. No confusion will result from their 
similarity to other affixes if the sense is observed. 

"When st comes after an affix, or when it cannot well be written in 
the manner prescribed, it is expressed by a two parallel dashes writ- 
ten transversely with the consonant-mark; thus, — — II. 

Where a syllable like gy, ogy, idge or age ends a word, and it is 
inconvenient to make a mark to J, it is indicated by two dots at the 
end and in line with the consonant-mark; thus, •• . 

When a syllable like ion, en or an comes after an affix, or when 
it is inconvenient to write it as directed, it is indicated by a figure 
eight at the end ; thus, s . 



CHAPTER IY. 

VOWELS. 

The prepared paper contains only the twenty-four consonants. The 
application of the vowels will now be considered. In rapid writing 
the vowels are generally omitted, but when absolute legibility is de- 
sired they must be inserted. The system of vocalization herein 
adopted is like that used in phonography. Vowels are of three 
kinds — first-place, second-place, and third-place. To explain them 
they will be used in connection with the phonographic T, which is 
a vertical light mark; thus, | . Three dots beside a T — thus, \ j — 
are first, second and third-place vowels, numbering from the top. 
The vowel in the first place has the sound of ee, and if used alone 
with the t beside which it is placed would give the word "eat." The 
middle or second-place vowel has the sound of a as in ale, and if 
used alone with the t would give the word "ate." The bottom 
vowel has the sound of a as in arm, and the three are pronounced 
ee, a, ah. There are also three other vowels similarly placed which 
are lighter, ' ; |, and produce when used with t the sounds — first- 



[10] 

place, it ; second-place, et, and third-place at (as in ask.) There are- 
other vowels represented by dashes ; thus, ^ |. The first-place is 
pronounced awe, the second o (like owe), and the third-place oo, 
as in food. Then, again, there are similarly shaped vowels, but made 
of lighter dashes ; thus, "£ |. The first is o, as in on ; the second u, 
as in up; and the third oo, as in foot. As it is difficult to pronounce 
them unless used in connection with t, or some other consonant, 
they may be fixed in the mind by being named respectively ot, ut, 
oot, being used for convenience, in this case, with the consonant t- r 
and, of course, they have relatively the same sound when used with 
any any other consonant. These vowels have relatively the same 
position when used in connection with marks of a different direc- 
tion. 

I, as in isle, is written thus, vi ; oi, as in oil, or oy, as 

boy, thus, .^1 ; ou, as in out, or ow, as in now, is thus, |_] ; ew, as in_ 

dew, or ue, as in due, thus, 1 . Of course, they are used on 

either side of vertical and above or below horizontal or sloping 
marks as the particular case in which they are used may require. 
These last four signs (called close-diphthong signs) always have the 
same position, whatever the position of the consonant-mark may be. 
For example, the point of the" I" sign is always down; the point of 
the "oi" sign is always up; the "ow" sign is alawys vertical and hori- 
zontal to the right, and the point of the "ue" or "ew" always to the right. 
These vowles, when used with single consonants, are written on the 
latter. If the word "isle," for example, is wanted, the vowel-mark 
is written on L ; if "oil," the oi on L ; if " out," the ou or ow on 
T ; if" cow," the ou or ow on K; if "dew" or "due," the ew or ue 
on D. There need be no way to tell whether the vowel or conson- 
ant comes first, because the sense will decide. If the word "idea" 
is needed, an I-sign on the D will answer, but two dots on the 
right of the i may be added if there is no cause for speed. I on D 
would also express "die" if the context required the word. 

When a vowel comes before the first consonant of a mark it is 
placed, when the mark is horizontal, above the mark, and is either a 
first-place, second-place or third-place vowel according to position,, 
being numbered from the left or beginning of the mark. 



[11] 

"When a vowel comes after the last consonant of a horizontal 
mark it is placed below, and numbered from the left as before ex- 
plained. 

In all vertical or sloping marks the vowels are placed on the 
left when they come before the consonants, and on the right when 
they come after the consonants. 

When a vowel comes between the two consonants of a mark it is writ- 
ten very near the mark if a dot- vowel, and on or very near the mark 
if a dash- vowel; thus, . « . , ._. . , i i ■ . -, rl , . They can be used on 
either side of a mark, according to convenience, but are numbered 
from the beginning of the mark. When vowels come before the 
first, or after the last, consonant of a mark, their distance from the 
mark is about as follows: • *• , • • » , ; ; » , i i i . 

For many small words it will be necessary to write the vowels 
on the consonants without any other marks. In the case of the dot 
vowels there are two methods of affixing them. In the first method 
the dots are put on the left side of the consonant when they come 
before, and on the right side when they come after the consonant. 
They are numbered from the top, first-place, second-place or third- 
place. Thus, if the word " he" is wanted, a heavy dot is made on 
the upper right hand corner of the H. If the word " in" is desired, 
a light dot is made near the upper left-hand corner of the N. 

The other method of expressing the dot vowels on consonants 
when used in small words is to make a mark diagonally on the con- 
sonant from the upper left-hand corner toward the lower right-hand 
corner when it comes before, and from the upper right-hand corner 
toward the lower left-hand corner when it comes after the consonant 
Two of these vowel-marks on N, crossed — thus, x — would express 
one light-dot vowel before, and one light-dot vowel after the N, and, 
consequently, would give "any" or " in a." A light mark of this 
kind — thus, \ — on N would indicate either "in" or "an;" the same 
kind of a mark on T would indicdte "it" or "at," the right word 
being known by the sense. If the mark is made thus, / , it indi- 
cates one of the light-dot vowels after the consonant on which it is 
written. If made heavy — thus, \ — it indicates one of the heavy- 
dot vowels before the consonant on which it is written. If this 
vowel mark is written on T the word "eat" is given. If made 
heavy from the upper right corner to the lower left corner — thus, / — 



[12] 

it expresses a heavy-dot vowel after the consonant. This mark 
made on S we have the word "saw" or "sow." To give the word "easy/' 
a cross-mark, light and heavy- — thus, * — is made onZ; but it may 
on S and express the same word if more convenient. 

In the the tick or dash vowels for the small words they are writ- 
ten horizontally on the the consonant when they come before the 
consonant, and vertically when they come after. If a mark like 
this, - , heavy, is written on T, w r e have the word "ought." If 
written vertically on the T, one of the three words, "taw," "toe" or 
"too," is given. The same rules govern the light-dash vowels. 
When speed is not required these dash vowels may be distinguished 
as first, second and third-place by writing the first-place, when hori- 
zonal, near the top, the second-place in the center, and the third- 
place near the bottom; and in the case of those w r ritten vertically, 
the first-place near the left, the second-place in the center, and the 
third-place near the right. 

The exclamations O! oh ! and ah ! are indicated by a short verti- 
cal mark — thus, i — on the blank line above the line of consonants 
on which the writing is in progress. Hence these exclamations 
always belong to the language immediately below. 

In phonography there are W and Y vowel-marks which are used 
extensively, but which in this system will have an exceedingly lim- 
ited use on account of the ready manner in which W and Y can be 
used as initials in the arrangement of the consonant sets. These 
W and Y vowel-marks correspond with the dot and dash vowels 
heretefore explained — in fact, they are the dot and dash vowels with 
W and Y added. They are also made heavy and light like the dot 
and dash vowels. There are twelve of each. The AV vowels are 
as follows : £ ] we, way, wah (first, second and third-place, numbered 

from the commencement of the mark;) >| , wau, woe, woo. The 

next six correspond with the six light dot and tick vowels heretofore 
given. They are as follows, being pronounced with T for the sake 
of convenience : ^ , wit, wet, wat (a as in at) ; >| , wot, wut, woot 

(oo as in foot.) 

The Y vowels are also twelve in number, and are as follows: 
*| , 2 . These are identical with the other vowels with the 
"J " exception of the sound of Y. The first three are 



[13] 

yee, ya (yea), yah; the second three — yau, yo, yoo; the third 
three (pronounced with T) — yit, yet, yat, and the fourth three — 
yot, yut, yoot. Observe that the first six are heavy and the latter 
six light. 

These W and Y vowels always occupy one position without reference 
to the direction of the consonant-marks — that is, a line (imaginary) ,/rom 
one point of a Y mark to the other point is always horizontal, and a 
line from one 'point of the W mark to the other point is always vertical. 

The W vowels, when not initial, are used in such words as "twist/' 
"twine," "tweed," etc., and the Y vowels, when not initial, in such 
words as "lawyer," "Virginia," etc. They may also be written 
alone on consonants to express such words as "week," "walk/' "yet," 
"yes," if it can be done with more convenience than using the W 
and Y printed among the consonants. 

On account of the limited use of W and Y vowels their study 
may be omitted until everything else has been mastered. 

When "I," "eye" or "aye" is required a short vertical mark be- 
tween the sets, between V and Th, will express it. (The joined-I 
is explained elsewhere.) 



CHAPTER IV. 



COMBINATIONS, ABBREVIATIONS, ETC. 

Combinations and abbreviations will suggest themselves as the 
student advances, but the most prominent ones will be given in this 
chapter. "Of the" is expressed by a mark from V to Th ; "in 
the," a line from N to Th, being distinguished from "noth." (noth- 
ing) by the sense. "As the," S to Th — S being given the sound of 
Z in this and many other cases for convenience. "At the," T to Th. 
"'We may;" WM; "We may be," WMb; "we are," WR; "he is," 
HS; "out of," TF or TV, etc. 

The article "a" is expressed by a dot in the space between F and 
H;" "an" by a dot between L and K, and "and" by a dot between 
R and W. In rapid writing a dot anywhere between the sets may ex- 
press "a," "an" or "and." "A," "an" or "and" is also indicated by 



[14] 

a short tick or dash at a right angle with a mark, either at the begin- 
ning or end; thus, , , , , . "The" or "he" is indicated by an an- 
gular tick or dash at the beginning or end of a mark; thus, * — , 7 , 

A . The pronoun "I" is also joined to the beginning of a mark 

by a small curved tick; thus; ^ . A mark from H to D begin- 
ning thus would express "I had;" from H to V, "I have," etc. 

When a word begins and ends with the same consonant, as "error," 
"roar," etc., and the outline is given by making a mark from the 

R in one set to the R in another, a cross-mark near the center ( , — ) 

shows that it is a word of two syllables. (The cross-mark can be 
distinguished from the t ord cross-mark by making it a little longer, 
and also by writing it near the center of the mark, instead of at the 
«nd, as in the case of d or t.) This cross-mark can be used in cases 
where the outline of a word of two syllables is identical with those 
of one syllable, as DL — distinguishing dual or duel from deal, etc. 
It may also be used on any mark that outlines a word of two sylla- 
bles. 

Abbreviations will be necessary occasionally in taking notes, but 
their use in this system will not be anything near so extensive as in 
ordinary shorthand. The thing to guard against is abbreviating to 
such an extent as to endanger legibility, and the time to consider 
this matter is after the student is able to write any word in the lan- 
guage without any hesitation. A few illustrations are given: Here- 
after, h'rf; heretofore, hrtf; principle, prn; principles, prns; Heav- 
enly Father, HV FTh; nation or notion, NSh, etc. 

Ku rubers can be expressed by figures on the blank line above, or 
on the line of consonants in hurried writing; but in some cases 
they may be spelled out, as FV for "five," TN for "ten," WN T 
THSXD for "one thousand," ¥N MLN for "one million," etc. 

Punctuation marks are written on the blank line below the line 
of consonants on which the writing is in progress. 

The outline of "doing" is made by a mark beginning on D and 
end ou Ng; "being," B to Ng; "knowing," N to Ng, etc. 

It will sometimes be convenient to express one word with more 
than one mark, as in the following instances: McGillicuddy, 
MK GLKD; Pittsburg, PTS BRG; Yicksburg, YKS BRG; Lim- 
berger, LM BRGR; nevertheless, NV THLS; notwithstanding, 
NT WThST, etc. When speed is not required a line should be 



[15] 

<drawn over the whole length of these marks, in the blank line 
above the consonants, to show that they comprise only one word. 

A heavy angular dash at the beginning of a mark ( / ) indi- 
cates al, el, il, ol or ul, and a light angular dash at the beginning 
of a mark (/ ) expresses la, le, li, lo or lu. A dot at the begin- 
ning and a little to one side of a mark (. ) signifies ar, er, or, 

ir or ur. Ba, be, bi, bo or bu is given at the beginning of a mark 

by a short dash in line with the mark; thus, ; and ab, eb, or 

ob at the beginning by two dots, : . The S-circle, besides plu- 

ralizing affixes, sometimes is used to add os, us, ious, etc. When 
sts, ists or ests finishes a word an affix similar in shape to a figure 
three is written at the end of the mark; thus, ^ . 

Marks to adjoining letters on the left are allowable — as from Lto 
T for "lot" or "let;" from T to S for "ties" or "it is;" from S to 
K for "seek" or "soak," etc. These marks are made heavy with an 
under curve ; thus, ^ . 

"And he/" can be expressed by a short horizontal mark begin- 
ing in the space between the consonants and ending on H; "and 
the" or " and they," by a similar mark ending on Th ; "and we" or 
"and why," by a similar mark ending on W. "And I" is indicated 
by a dot and a short vertical mark under it between the consonants. 
"In a" or "on a" can be expressed by making a mark to the right 
beginning on N and ending in the center of the space between the 
consonants; "of a" by a similar mark beginning on V; "to a" by a 
mark beginning on T; "is a" or "as a," by a mark beginning on S, 
and so on. 

Proper nouns are indicated, if deemed necessary, by a short hori- 
zontal mark on the blank line above the consonants ; thus, — . 

No success at rapid writing can be made by the student until 
words can be written without hesitation, and this proficiency can only 
be attained by considerable practice. When a reporter has to occupy 
his mind with the construction of words, he cannot give full atten- 
tion to the language of the speaker, and he is certain to become 
confused. 

In practicing let the student write with such accuracy that his 
notes can be read by others besides himself. Let him also write 
the characters as near like those in the illustration as possible, and 
be careful not to make them too large. 

Verbatim reporting is only one of the many uses of shorthand. 



[16] 

The ability to take notes with about one-tenth the labor required by 
long-hand is an attainment of immense value, and when corres- 
pondence and other writing can be done in a like manner its value 
is still more enhanced. 

The ability to read this system of simplified shorthand can be 
acquired in a few hours by those who have not the time or the incli- 
nation to give it the requisite amount of practice for the purpose 
of learning to write it with facility, and it will prove to be a valua- 
ble acquirement. 

It will be observed that words can frequently be written in dif- 
ferent ways. For example, "anxious" can be written by making a 
mark from N to G, and adding the affix "shus" (NG-shus), or it 
can be written by making a mark from Ng to Sh and making the 
S-circle at the end of the mark on Sh (NgShS.) Let the student 
make it a rule to write every word — unless when hurriedly taking 
notes — so full and complete that it can be read at a glance. 

Each word, when taken in connection with its surroundings, has 
a shape of its own, and after a time will be known by its shape 
rather than by the consonants upon which it is written. 

It may apper at first very difficult to write some words according 
to this system, but upon a little reflection the difficulty will disap- 
pear. Take the word " legerdemain," for instance, which would 
appear hard to write. It is made by seperate marks — thus, LJ-er 
de-MN. "Danielsonville " is another apparently difficult word, but 
by making separate marks it is easily written — DN-el SN-ville. The 
outline of "issue" is SY (isyu), and of "issues" SS. 



CHAPTER Y. 

PHONETIC SPELLING. 

Mr. Isaac Pittman, of England, the inventor of ponography, in 
order to simplify spelling as much as possible, rejected "the Roman 
alphabet as inadequate to represent the sounds occurring in the 
English language," and reverted "to the idea of the first inventor 
of the alphabet — the discovery of the elementary sounds, and the 
selection of an appropriate sign for each." Phonetic spelling is 
so generally understood that it is deemed unnecessary to give an 



[17] 

elaborate explanation; but a few of its prominent features will be 
indicated. No double or silent letters are used. Spelling is always 
according to sound. For instance, instead of spelling "George" in 
the usual way it is spelled "Jorj," of "uv," and was "wuz," etc. 

The following consonants have the same names as in common 
orthography : P, B, T, D, J, K, F, V, S, Z, M and N. The others 
are named as follows: G, Gay; Th, Ith or Thee; Sh, Ish or 
Shay; Zh, Zhay; L, El or Lay; R, Ar or Ray; Ng, Ing or Ink; 
W, Way; Y, Yay; H, Hay; Ch, Chay; Mp, Imb or Imp. 

But remember, these names do not accurately represent the sounds 
of the consonants. To arrive at the sound indicated by T, pro- 
nounce the word "to." The mode of producing the sound indicated 
by T having been observed, drop the other element, and the sound 
of T is heard. Give G the sound of g in "gain." (Never pronounce G 
Jee.) The true sounds of the other consonants are ascertained in a 
similar manner. 

The following reading exercises will probably give the student a 
clearer insight into phonetic spelling (or more properly shorthand 
spelling — vowels being generally omitted) than can be obtained other- 
wise. Abbreviations should not be used to any greater extent 
than is here adopted except in rapid note-taking, and in general 
writing it may be well to give some of the words even more fully. 
The prefixes and affixes, when Used, are separated from the other 
parts of words by hyphens, and spelt in the usual style : 

Fr skr and 7 yrs ago our fthrs brt frth pn ths con-tn-ent a nu 
nshn, con-svd in lb-rty and ded-kt-ed to the pro-ps-tion that al mn 
ar kr-ted kl. Now we ar en-gjd in a grt svl wr, tst-ing wthr tht 
nshn — or ani nshn so con-svd and so ded-kt-ed — kn lng ndr. We ar 
mt on a grt btl fid uv tht wr. We ar mt to ded-kt a pr-tion uv it 
as the fn-al rst-ing pis uv ths hoo hv gvn thr lvs tht the nshn mt 
lv. It is al-tgth-er fit-ing and pro-pr tht we shd do ths. Bt, in a 
lrj-er sns, we knt ded-kt, we knt con-skr-ate, we knt hlo, ths grnd. 
The brv mn, lv-ing and dd, hoo strg-ld hr, hv con-skr-ted it, fr bv 
our pr to ad or to de-trkt. The wrld wl vry ltl nt nr lng re-mmb- 
er wt we sa hr; bt it kn nvr frgt wt tha dd hr. Ts fr us, the lv-ing, 
rthr, tb ded-ktd, hr, to the un-fn-shedwrktht tha hv ths fr so nb-ly 
krd on. Ts rthr fr us tb hr ded-ktd to the grt tsk re-mn-ing bfr 
us; tht frm ths on-rd dd we tk in-krst dv-tion to that ks fr wchtha 
hr gv the 1st fl mzh-ure uv dv-tion ; tht we hr hili re-slv that ths dd 
shl nt hv dd in vn ; tht the nshn shl, nd-er Gd, hv a nu brth uv 
frdm, and tht gv-ment uv the ppl, bi the ppl, fr the pple, shl nt 
prsh frm the rth. — [Abraham Lincoln. 



[18] 

I hd a drm, wch wz nt al a drm. The brt sn wz ex-tng-shd, and 
the strs dd wnd-er drkl-ing in the trn-al sps, ra-ls, and pth-less, and 
the isi rth swng bind and blkn-ing in the mn-lss ar ; mrn km an went, 
and km, and brt no da, and mn frgt thr pshns in the drd of ths thr 
dsl-tion; and al hrts wr chid nt a sl-fish prr for It; and tha dd lv bi 
wch frs — and the thrns, the pl-ses uv krn-ed kngs — the hts, the hbt- 
tions uv al thngs wch dwl, wr brnt for bkns; sts wr con-smd, and 
mn wr gthr-ed rnd thr blz-ing hms to Ik wns mr nt ech thrs fs; hpi 
wr ths hoo dwlt wthn the i uv the vlkn-os, and thr mntn trch ; a 
fr-ful hp wz al the wrld con-tn-ed; frsts wr st on fr — but our by our 
tha fl and fd-ed — and the krk lng trnks ex-tng-shed wth a krsh — 
and al wz blk. The brs uv mn bi the de-spr-ing It wr an un-rth-ly 
spkt, as by fts the flshs fl upon them : sm la dn and hd thr iz and 
wpt ; and sm dd rest thr chns pn thr klnchd hnds, and smld; and 
thrs hrd to and fr, and fd thr fnr-al pis wth fl, and lkd up with md 
ds kw-tude on the dl ski, the pi uv a pst wrld ; and thn agn wth 
kr-ses kst thm dn pn the dst, and nshd thr tth and hid ; the wld 
brds shrkd, and, trf-ed, dd flt-er on the grnd, and flp thr ys-less 
wngs; the wldst brts km tm and trm-el-s; and vprs krld and twnd 
thm-selves mng the mlttd; hs-ing but stng-less — tha wr sin fr fd; 
and Wr, wch fr a mm-ent wz no mr, dd git hm-self gn ; — a ml wz 
bt wth bid, and ech st sln-ly prt, grj-ing hm-self in glm : no lv wz 
lft ; al rth wz bt wn tht — and tht wz dth, mdt and in-glrs ; and the 
png uv fmn fd pn al en-trls — mn dd, and thr bns wr tmb-less as thr 
fish ; the mg-er by the mg-er wr de-vrd, vn dgs sld thr mst-er-s, al 
sv wn, and he wz fth-ful to a krs, and kpt the brds and bsts and fm- 
ish-ed mn at ba, til hng er king thm, or the drp-ing dd lrd thr Ink 
js; hm-self st out no fd, but wth a pts and per-ptl mn, and a kwk 
des-lt kri, lk-ing the hnd wch ns-ered nt wth a kr-es — he dd. The 
krd wz fm-ish-d bi de-grs; bt to uv an nrms sti dd srvv, and tha wr 
nms; tha mt bsd the dng mbrs uv an lt-er plswr hd bn hpd a msuv 
hi thngs fr an un-hl sj ; tha rkd up and shv-er-ing skrp-ed wth thr 
kid ski-ton hnds the f bl shs, and thr f bl brth bloo fr a ltl If, and md 
a flm wch wz a mk-ry; thn tha lftd up thr iz as it gr ltr, and bh-ld 
ech thrs spkts — sau, and shrkd, and dd — vn uv thr mchl hds-ness 
tha dd — un-ning hoo he ws pn hoos br Fmn hd rtn Fnd. The wrld 
wz vd, the ppls and the pr-ful wz a Imp — szn-less, rb-less, tr-less, 
mn-less, lf-less — a Imp uv dth — a k-s uv hrd kla. The rvrs, Iks 
and shn al std stl, and nth-ing st-rd wthn thr sl-ent dpths ; shps, 
sir-less, la rt-ing on the se, and thr msts fl dn psml; as tha drpdtha 
slpt pn the abis wtht a srj — the wvs wr dd; the tds wr in thr grv, 
th Mn, thr mstrs, hd ex-prd bfr ; the wnds wr wth-er-d in the stgn- 
ant ar, and the kids prshd! Drk-ness hd no nd uv ad frm thm — She 
wz the Yn- verse. — [Byron. 

THE END. 



ERRATA AND OMISSIONS. 

On page 3 read "particular* passage of language" for "particular 
piece of language." 

The prefixes te, de, etc., are written before marks commencing 
with an S-circle as well as when they commence with the L and R 
hooks, as explained on page 7. 

The affix representing ver, vers and verse is distinguished from 
the one signifying ever and soever by being made heavy, the latter 
being light. 

A short vertical mark anywhere between the consonant-sets indi- 
cates I, eye or aye. It will sometines be necessary to join I to words 
having only one consonant, as "do/' "am," "see," "know," etc. If 
"I do" is required, a vertical mark is made between the sets and 
then continued to the right, ending on D, thus, I — ; "I am," the 
same kind of a mark ening on M; "I see," ending on S; "I know," 
ending on N; "I go," ending on G, etc. "Do I" is expressed by a 
mark beginning on D, continued to the right to the blank between 
the sets, and then downward, thus, i. "Am I" is made by the 

same kind of a mark beginning on M; "as I," beginding on S, etc. 

The prefix super is a curve around the beginning of the mark, 

thus, r- ; the affix mous is the same kind of a curve at the end of 

a mark, thus, =>. Mag, magna or magni at the beginning of a 

word is signified by a curved mark through the beginning of a con- 
sonant mark, thus, r . Sub may be expressed by an S-circle on 

B, separated from the remainder of the word in many instances. 

When "the" or "he" follows a word ending with an S-circle it is 

sometimes made with an angular tick, thus, &. "A," "an" or 

"and" may be given by a tick forming a right angle with the con- 
sonant-mark, thus, p. Sts is made by adding an S-circle to the 

st mark, thus, ~~ €== '. 

In rapid note-taking a mark from Th to W may indicate "the 
way" or "they were." Numerous combinations of "of," besides 
those already mentioned, can be made with V. "Of course" can be 
made thus, VKRS; "of loans" or "of lines," VLNS, and "of roads," 
YRDS. The L and R hooks may be used in the latter three illus- 



trations if deemed preferable. "As is" is expressed by an S-circle 
on S, and "is as" by a line from the S in one set to the S in the next. 

"I do not" is expressed by a vertical mark in the space between 
the consonant-sets, extending from the top half way to the bottom; 
"I did not" by a mark beginning in the center of the space and ex- 
tending to the bottom of the sets. 

"And his" is written by a mark from the middle of the space be- 
tween the consonants and ending with an S-circle on H. 

Single letters, or the initials to proper names, are made by marks 
beginning on the consonants and extending to about the center of 
the space above or below the line of consonants. The letter E is 
indicated by a dot above Th or below Z. 

A consonant is doubled at times by disjoining a mark. If "can 
never" is required a mark from K to N and then another mark 
from the same N (instead of the N in the next set) to V will give 
it. "But tell," BT TL; "very rash," VR RSh; "path through," 
PTh ThR, etc., may be similarly expressed. 

Combinations of "how" are made with marks beginning on H. 
"How long" can be made by a mark commencing with the L hook 
on H and ending on Ng ; "how rash," by a mark beginning with 
the R hook on H and ending on Sh. 

"Think it" may be expressed by a mark from Th to Ng with a 
t mark at the end. "At" and "to" are frequently indicated as "it" 
is in this instance. 

Let the student practice on the most difficult words until they 
can be written as readily as the simple ones. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by 

JOHN R. RANKIN, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



027 275 517 



